*Course Guidelines - Science

Mrs. Enstrom - Earth Science

Back to School Night

 

 

Book:  Our book for science is California Earth Science by Prentice Hall, which is aligned with the sixth grade state science standards.  The topics that we will cover include scientific investigations, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, minerals, measurement, heat transfer, animal adaptation, and erosion. The Outdoor School program is also part of the science curriculum.

 

Science Portfolio Notebook:  Every student needs to have a small (1/2 inch) three ring binder or 3-prong folder that will stay in the classroom.  Students will keep work from each unit of study in the binders.

 

Homework:  Homework assignments are written in their binder reminders, which should be signed by you each night.  The entire assignment is due at the beginning of the period.  Homework can be found on the Internet at www.teacherweb.com.  There will also be a few projects.  Projects will be graded on overall presentation, accuracy, amount of detail, and effort that went into the project.  Please help your child plan ahead so that these projects represent quality work and are not hastily assembled the night before.

 

Grades: Grades are based on the following scale: 100% = A+; 94%-99% = A; 90%-93% = A-; 87%-89% = B+; 83%-86% = B; 80%-82% = B-; 77%-79% = C+; 73%-76% = C; 70%-72% = C-; 67%-69% = D+; 63%-66% = D; 60%-62% = D-; 0%-59% = F

The categories are weighted as follows: tests/quizzes-30%; assignments-70%

Progress reports will be emailed home on a weekly basis.

 

Outdoor School:  Team C will be attending Exploring New Horizons March 4th - 8th.  This is a weeklong program at a state accredited outdoor school.  The school is near Pescadero.  Students hike in the redwoods, the oaks, the marsh and tide pools.  Naturalists teach the students the importance of protecting our California habitats.  Team B teachers as well as high school students from Castro Valley High School go with the students.  A parent meeting is scheduled with the staff from Exploring New Horizons on November 29th.  The cost of the trip is approximately $325.00

 

Classroom Rules and Expectations:

1.     Students are to arrive to class on time, with proper materials and homework completed.

2.     Gum chewing or eating is not permitted in class.

3.     Students will respect the rights of all, with no interruptions of the learning process (stay in your seat, raise hand, and wait to be called on).

4.     Students will respect school property and the property of others.

5.     Courtesy and appropriate language will be used at all times.